BLACK ENGINEER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS
Omar Thompson, Ph.D. Senior Reliability Engineer. Northrop Grumman Corporation
O
mar Thompson joined Northrop Grumman in 2007 as a reli- ability and failure analysis engineer on the Viper program.
The Viper laser is a critical component in the protection of both American and coalition aircraft from hostile surface-to-air mis- siles. Thompson’s successful identification of reliability limiters led to an increase in the field reliability of the Viper laser. This effort was credited with reducing repair costs for the United States government and NATO allies, saving in excess of $100 million over the life of the program. The Viper laser protects low, me- dium and high signature aircraft from sophisti- cated heat-seeking mis- siles and is installed or scheduled for installation to protect approximately 50 different types of large fixed-wing transports and rotary-wing platforms from infrared missile attacks.
Thompson devel- oped the first Physics of Failure rate model for solid-state laser research for his doctoral research.
He then adopted the approach to increase understanding of laser failure and its relationship to design and manufacturing deficien- cies and how the relationship of both can be modeled to deter- mine the reliability of a design. He is a presenter at engineering design reviews for program acquisition and continuance with the U.S. Air Force, Army and Navy on high-dollar contracts of more than $10 million. He began his career as an intern, progressing to become a project engineer with Siemens. In 2005, he joined the United Space Alliance as an aero-
space engineer. He was tasked with providing reliability and risk-management engineering support for the $1 billion Space Shuttle and International Space Station program at NASA’s Shuttle Logistics Depot. He was named to the Tiger Team that analyzed the Point Sensor Box failure on the Space Shuttle Dis- covery return to flight mission after the Columbia disaster. He led the analysis of nonconformance reports for possible impact to flight hardware and non-flight hardware. He was also an ac- tive member of the Standing Accident Investigation Board on shuttle mishap, focusing on incident and accident investigation including root cause analysis.
Since 2005, he has been a preschool volunteer and teacher at the First Baptist Church of Oviedo. He is also the Upward Soccer youth coach in the church sports program. Thompson earned a Ph.D. in modeling and simulation from the Univer- sity of Central Florida in 2011, and a master’s in modeling and simulation in 2010 and a master’s in industrial engineering and management systems in 2003, also from UCF. He has been a member of the IEEE since 2003.
www.blackengineer.com
Walter L. Tomlinson Senior Machinist The Boeing Company
W
alter L. Tomlinson is known widely for his role in Black Men in Motion. Black Men in Motion Inc. is a grassroots
community organiza- tion in Chester, Penn., a 501c non-profit organization to help youth through com- munity outreach which Tomlinson founded with others. As its president, Tomlinson, a senior machinist/engineer in the tool fabrication divi- sion of Boeing Defense, Space and Security, is a mentor and tutor for after-school programs in literacy, math and sci- ence, cultural enlighten- ment and self-esteem. He encourages parental involvement, organizes field trips, and partici- pates in fundraising activities.
For the past 16 years, and with the support of the Boeing Employees Community Fund in Philadelphia, local churches and
schools, the community center receives donations of computers and math, language studies, technology, geography and sci- ence textbooks. Tomlinson contributes daily to ensure that local residents, particularly youth, work together to promote STEM programs for students. “There is no greater gift than seeing children show interest in something where there was no interest before,” says the man who promotes the principles of education, respect, and discipline to the youth of Chester. For his continuous active support to Black Men in Motion and their volunteer efforts within the community to raise schol- arship funds for Chester High School students, Tomlinson has received numerous awards and recognition from organizations such as Big Brothers and Sisters, the Police Athletic League, and Chester High School. Tomlinson has also been recognized with the BEYA Community Service Award. At work, Tomlinson supports Boeing’s Philadelphia Opera- tions in the development of tool designs incorporating lean and ergonomic features, tool fabrication and periodic inspection techniques. He is a decorated employee. From Boeing, he has received four awards: Tooling 3 EI Team, Safety Recognition Award; Diversity Goals and Objective Accomplishment Award (twice); Leader and Advocate for Diversity and Inclusion Award; and the Philadelphia Rotorcraft Change Agent Award. Tomlinson is a member of the Delaware Country Chamber of Commerce and the Boeing Diversity Council.
USBE&IT I WINTER 2013 39
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